Friday, 23 November 2012

Caffè Baratti &
Milano is absolutely an iconic symbol of the most important
city of Piedmont region, Turin since 1865 when that very distinctive establishment located in
the old core of the former Italian Capital in a corner among the most
captivating of the entire city embraced by those nostalgic times reminiscent
the Savoy House opened its doors. All around that emblematic site you will notice a very special detail particularly
highlighted in the air consisting in that captivating presence of an unmistakable fragrant smell of
Torinese coffee and chocolate result of years and years of brilliant and
distinguished traditions serving thousands and thousands of locals and tourists.

There are many cities
in Italy with determined places spreading that unmistakable aromatic flavours with their
essence flying as something of magic and highly sublime conquering many
people immediately creating that special feeling of desire to enjoy a warm cup of such
inviting brewed beverages.

Strolling some
street or squares of the country often appears that denomination "Caffè" a
word which simply means Cafe representing the right place to
sit and tasting a superb coffee made by the best blends created by most
appreciated baked exotic seeds produced by a divine mixture perfectly
toasted and prepared in perfect machines which are since a long time
ago pride of the Italian catering industry making during all those processes of
preparation something simply outstanding which in its kind conquered the world.

That product always
represented in its pure essence and simplicity part of a culture, a hot
dark beverage which always linked people in daily chats sitting at a table, in
a social break, a business meeting and culturally it constantly represented and represents an
occasion to see someone for just 10 minutes or simply tasting a cup of Espresso
standing up in front of the bar wishing someone good morning, good afternoon,
have a great day or see you...

As usual tradition
those Cafes were establishments which since a long time ago characterised
meetings linked to notable artistic and cultural movements, others as favourite destinations to talk about specific
topics as political issues with Ministers, Ambassadors, fervent patriots and a
long list of writers, poets, philosophers who found in those famous and
prestigious Literary Cafes the right place to think, create and develop, significant details which gave Italy an unforgettable trendy style well known all
around the globe.

From North to South
crossing the centre of the Nation you will find many of them, in Naples the famed and elegant Gran
Caffè Gambrinus ,in the Milanese Galleria Vittorio Emanuelethe
stylish Savini, the famedVia Condotti in Rome boasts the classy Antico
Caffè Greco while in Venice, concretely in the stunning Piazza San Marco emblematic presence
of the popular Cafes Quadri and Florian is another living example. You can find many others in several streets and squares representing in their kinds iconic establishments which wrote important historic pages closely linked to relevant episodes, anecdotes or events.

Italy lived glorious times linked to those sites which continue to represent social and cultural meeting points also in contemporary times. Generations of people related the
most important and different arts and professions started to frequent them tramsmitting later the trendy habit which attracted later visitors,
tourists and ordinary people simply delighted to sit in one of them enjoying a pleasant time or a break during a day.

Turinwhich was
the Capital of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia and of the first Italian Reign undoubtedly has a very reputable position about that boasting
notable Cafes some of them opened during the times of the Savoy House.The former rulers, who also for the strong connection to their French heritage transmitted
that chic and classy touches of "noblesse" and sophisticated style in
the city of that famous stylish and charming detailed glitzy splendour so alive in Paris which was and is one of the
most distinctive icons boasting long traditions and always ready to create places so called
"charmantes" able to attract the attention for their stylish furniture,
soft lights, comfortable armchairs with spaces highlighted by appealing details such as crystal, glass, silk and other notable materials to embellish in a
scenic way a fascinating environment.

The historic Torinese
centre due to that was a place which strongly assimilated in its Cafes those influences which were in in their kinds also very trendy
features at those times. Many of those sites became
the most important meeting points of politicians of high ranking, it is enough to mention the Count
Cavour, Crispi, Giolitti, ministers of the former Kingdom and strongly linked to
the Royal Family. Furthermore the high artistic nomenclature living in the current 4th
Italian city also sat in those rooms and those establishments became a sort of symbol of the classy society with numerous aristocrats flocking to savour a drink.

The topics of the chats in such
refined places were many and so varied such as subjects to take important decisions, exchange of opinions regarding plans closely related to politic, art, culture but also extremely close to hopes,
desires and ideas in a country which was living a continuous ascent and all that took place in a very selected comfortable
atmosphere simply tasting a supreme coffee.

Turin which incorporated all that added furthermore the sweet and loved history and tradition of the most fine chocolaterie
industry which accompanied that dark beverage in a sort of happy marriage since those times with Caffe Baratti & Milano as absolute protagonist about that.

The Piedmont capital was a pioneer
in that kind of culture offering a more than captivating combination created in
a very elegant style consisting in a superb coffee served in stylish cups and a
chocolate candy placed on the side plate.

That sublime coupling
is the creation of a divine binomial result in its kind next to a very appreciated
service which conquered a multitude of people combining the aroma and the warm
temperature of an eternally beloved drink with the desire immediately after to be delighted tasting
the sweet flavour of another delicious product.

All that continued to be as a sort of ritual Torinese habit in a centre which developed a little empire
around that sweet brown gastronomic blend of cocoa, sugar, milk and other
ingredients.It is enough to think
to the delicious Gianduiotti andthe delectable and emblematic Gianduia cream filling
cakes and desserts and those products made in Turin with several years of
history and prestige delighting the most demanding palates.

In the beautiful and
charming central Piazza Castello one of the most distinguished squares
of the municipality considered since the former Piedmont and Sardinia Kingdom one of the most classic lounges
of the Italic peninsula, Caffè Baratti & Milano was able since its inception to combine all
those mentioned tastefully qualities, features and fine details.

Considered a relevant metropolitan landmark and established in that elegant scenery, that Cafe since its opening was elevated as a sort of indisputable symbol of that centre in the shade
of the majestic Mole Antonelliana.

The fame of that famous site which with its charm and classical image conquered Italy,
Europe and the world for its service, quality and style started its brilliant
activity when Ferdinando Baratti and Edoardo Milano two Gentlemen and
Master Chocolatiers decided to move from a small town of the Canavese a rural Piedmont
sub county to the Capital of the Region.

They originally
opened and managed in 1858 an active pastry & chocolate factory in the
current street Via Garibaldi and worth a special mention that they were also
the developers of the famous Cremino, a delicious candy chocolate which became since then one of their most loved and appreciated creations in terms of quality with an outstanding success.

Sincealong
time ago that Northern Italian centre developed around its image of cultural, active, busy, economic
and historic hub also a notable prestige linked to the great names closely related to that
sweet confectionery industry withthe famed and notorious companies Ferrero,
Peyrano, Caffarel, Treglio and of course also Baratti & Milano entered
in that awarded list well known worldwide.

The chocolate made there to have a simple idea about its prestige was mentioned by a prominent figure as Alexandre
Dumas who was well known apart for his immense artistic literary talent
also for his refined tastes in terms of culinary art.

Including the
Torinese chocolate became in a very short time very respected, appreciated
and admired by the emblematic Swiss Masters Chocolatiers who considered
the blends used by the industries of that city superb, part of the highest
Elitesweet gastronomic world.

Definitely that was an
outstanding award coming from a country which never liked poor and scarce imitations,
low quality, a nation with an extreme pride linked to a secular history and Gotha of sweet classy
flavours. Baratti & Milano was one of those brands which entered with all
the honours in the list of the highest appreciations of the best producers of
that land.

In a very short time
those two masters had a great success in a city in which the research of the most
tastefully cuisine and delicatessen strongly came into a a secular local culture which
appreciated the best regarding the most refined and divine flavours delighting the most varied tastes.

After 17 years
of a splendid and productive activity those two entrepreneurs opened a new seat
in the historic centre, exactly in the famous Galleria Subalpina adjacent to Piazza
Castello which was at that time a celebrated and favourite meeting point
of the Torinese High Social Class.

Also there, beneath the
arcades of that famed gallery the sweet masterpieces of those two figures
continued to be successful. Those characters received several titles and awards,
one of them was the prestigious nomination of Official Provider of the
Savoy Royal Family, an absolute stunning reward for the Company
which thanks to that great honour lived in that time one of the most representative stages of its golden ages.

The prestigious
Torinese factory continued to produce chocolate of immense quality so
famous worldwide and apart the already mentioned and tastefully Gianduiotti and Cremini the popular Gianduiotto Bulk became an absolute protagonist. Furthermore the group launched in the market
new trendy products as the elegant Gianduiotti Gift Box, the Gianduia
Tin and other captivating articles always perfectly studied to conquer a multitude of people containing products with a classy and indisputable
fragrance boasting very refined sweet flavours.

The popularity of the Cafe was able to call the most relevant cultural sphere at its tables but it needed later according new trends related to more contemporary times
a new stylish face and image to avoid the risk to fall in a démodé and retro
environment. The operations of make up started by the addition of an innovative decoration in a Belle Époque style thanks to the
work of Top Architects such as Giulio Casanova and Edoardo Rubino, two
very distinguished exponents of the highest Liberty movement in Italy in
that period.

The establishment was
transformed in a sort of "Salotto" a classy and elegant lounge with a
perfect choice of the best marbles, selected furniture and stylish tables made by the
most captivating and classic timber, refined wooden chairs covered by leather
and a trendy arrangement of new architectural elements and details which filled in a very scenic style the spaces
with taste and elegance.

The bar was greatly decorated using golden painted timber with the presence of fine marble in some sections and furthermore the rooms were
embellished with over 50 stylish crystal chandeliers, splendid stuccoes,
attractive wooden incisions of value while the windows were integrally restored
and modified adding them an eclectic and elegant painted wooden frame.

With all those
splendid changes more than a Cafe, Baratti & Milano took an appearance much
more similar to a Royal Hall of the Savoy period also gaining for its new
aesthetic appeal a notable appreciation by every customer. Thanks to all that immediately that
distinctive site became pride and landmark of Turin, venerated by famed
artists and VIPs and including it was also used as set for some scenes of movies
filmed in the city.

Unfortunately that iconic site suffered some damages during the 2nd World War and
it reopened its doors in 1948 after some restorations which took time to be ended with long works to preserve the interiors so richly provided by
expensive materials.

Despite that difficult
period related to the times of the the post war in Italy in which to relaunch a site of
prestige was not always easy, the Cafe once reopened continued to be an eminent catering emblem. Its superb history and prestige undoubtedly played an important role and the name of such emblematic establishment never lost its fame
always alive in the memories of the Torinese.

In 1985the Cafe received another prestigious award by the Ministero
dei Beni Culturali ed Ambientali (The Culture and Ambient Ministry) which honoured
that site delivering it the title of Cafe of Great and Historical Interest elevating it as sort of catering & hospitality monument.

The Company due to some
internal changes and new operations of management was incorporated in the Group Toulá in 2003 and one year later became part of a partnership linked to the famed
Company Dufour-Elah & Novi. In that time worth a mention that there was a further
restoration of the interiors but despite that it has kept its historic charm.

The Cafe today offers
a splendid choice of sweet and delectable homemade products, you can taste
there the typical Cioccolatini Piemontesi (Piedmont chocolate candies) the best
Cremini, Gianduiotti and you will have the great chance to try the delicious Marron Glaces
covered by chocolate next to the sublime sweet Nocciolino you can not miss and much more.

A divine hot
chocolate is also a must at Caffè Baratti & Milano considered by many
people one of the best of the entire Turin and obviously the coffee which in that site is simply fantastic for its outstanding quality, rich in aroma,
fragrance and taste served in classy cups with a magnificent service,
attention and style so do not miss to enjoy a classic
Espresso, a great Macchiato, a sublime Cappuccino or including a traditional
Corretto with Grappa or other fine liquors.

In that point of the
historic centre of Turin that Cafe constantly continues to attract people who want to sit there
enjoying its atmosphere in a place which is still embraced by a relevant historic past
and that breathe of marked charm never lost.

I added some links below If you are planning
to visit the beautiful Capital of Piedmont which offers a lot in terms of history, art, stupendous
museums ad attractions with naturally that one related to that establishment which is definitely mandatory, a wonderful piece
of Italian history remembering a glorious past still alive in the present.

It is so pleasant to
have a break in that iconic site tasting its excellent specialities certainly living a magic time at Caffè Baratti & Milano situated in a more than appealing historic and monumental environment with all around you as further unmistakable captivating detail that fragrant smell of
Torinese coffee and chocolate which continue to be deliciously immortal in the
air of a superb Italian city.

About Me

I dedicated my last 25 years tp help tourists to travel safe and happy and that was and is my mission and satisfaction working in Tour Operators as Product Manager, Tailor Made Tours and Incentive Travel specialist..And one day I thought a blog could be an idea to share experiences with others about this magic world.